Home detention

A home detention order is a sentence where the offender is put under detention in their home instead of going to prison.

The sentence is suspended so if the offender doesn’t comply they will be be sent to prison to serve the full sentence.

When making a home detention order the court will specify the premises or place where the offender must live.

A home detention order can only be made by the court where the total term of imprisonment is less than 12 months.

What someone on home detention must do

Someone on home detention order must do all of the following:

live at the address listed on the order and remain there at all times except when they have permission to leave
follow all reasonable directions of the probation and parole officer
report to and receive visits from the probation and parole officer as directed
wear an electronic monitoring device
have regular drug and alcohol testing
tell the probation and parole officer if they change employment within two working days
follow all other conditions set by the court.

Someone on home detention order must not do any of the following:

break the law while on the order
leave the Northern Territory (NT) without the permission of their probation and parole officer
leave the premises except as approved by their officer
consume drugs or alcohol.

After someone is placed on home detention

After sentencing the court will give the offender a copy of their court order which will outline the conditions the offender must comply with.

The offender must go straight home to the address listed on the order and remain there.

They will need to report to the Community Corrections Office named on the order within two working days.

When the offender reports to the Community Corrections Office they will be assigned a probation and parole officer.

The officer will:

go through the order with the offender to make sure they understand it
explain the conditions the offender must comply with
if the offender has to attend programs or counselling the officer will provide the details of when and where they will attend
help the offender develop a plan to follow the conditions of their order.

If the person can’t attend

If an offender can’t attend a community work session, a program or an appointment it is their responsibility to notify their officer immediately.

The offender will be required to provide evidence such as a doctor’s certificate or letter from their employer.

Programs included

Programs can help offenders make changes in their life and reduce the risk of re-offending.

Programs have been developed to provide help with gambling, drugs, alcohol, money problems or mental illness.

If the person doesn't follow the order

If an offender doesn’t follow the conditions of the order, the probation and parole officer will investigate what has happened and the offender may have to return to court to explain their actions.

If the officer tells you that you have to go back to court you should contact your lawyer. Your lawyer will explain your options and what the court might decide.

Moving within the NT

The offender will need to talk to their probation and parole officer and lawyer. If they want to move they will need to go to court to get their order varied.

The court will require a report from their probation and parole officer on the address they want to move to.

If they can't meet the obligations of the order

An offender can apply to the court at any time during the order period for the order to be revoked and another penalty substituted.

Contact your lawyer to discuss options and make an application to the court.

Other languages

Watch estories in the following languages:

Give feedback about this page.

Share this page: